Manufactured Ammo versus Reloading COAL - Big Jump

[JSTARSZ]

I have been reloading for a couple of years now and have read lots of books and articles on the subject. I was loading some 308 today and did my normal:
Hornady 168 Grain AMAX
Winchester 748 - 44.2 Grains
Federal 210M Primer
COAL: 2.850 - .20 off the lands.

I started to look at some of my manufactured Ammo;
Federal Gold Medal Match 168 BTHP
Black Hills 168 GR AMAX
I noticed that they loaded their's to:
Federal - 2.780 COAL
Black Hills 2.755 COAL

<span style="color: #FF0000">What I am wondering is since Federal GM Match is the standard for which we all want to achieve then why so far the jump and why would my rifle like that far of a jump </span>
I understand that they have to reload for lots of chambers and rifles but if my rifle is supposed to shoot great with the Federal GM Match then it has to jump a long ways to get to the lands.

Am I chasing something by going so close to the lands when a large manufacturer is loading below the magic 2.8 COAL that is in almost every book out there.

Please enlighten this "Padawan learner"

 

[Grump]

Re: Manufactured Ammo versus Reloading COAL - Big Jump

There's no explaining the voodoo and witchcraft, Padawan.

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Federal, however, has sold its soul to the Devil in exchange for near-universal good results.

 

[GOING FOR 2000]

Re: Manufactured Ammo versus Reloading COAL - Big Jump

The 2.8 OAL is for mag length, sort of an industry standard.

Every rifle is different and you have to find the sweet spot, be it .10, .20, etc. My old .308 with 175 Gn. SMK liked .149 off, .02 more or less and it won't hold a group. When I get it back from Rem. I will have to find that spot again. Be it that they do a repair or replacement the rifle will have changed.

 

[JSTARSZ]

Re: Manufactured Ammo versus Reloading COAL - Big Jump

well, I am still not very sure why it is so I will continue the search...

 

[JSTARSZ]

Re: Manufactured Ammo versus Reloading COAL - Big Jump

Nobody else has an opinion on this phenomenon???

 

[mdmp5]

Re: Manufactured Ammo versus Reloading COAL - Big Jump

Your rifle probably enjoys the pressure at that seating depth. If you play with the depths, you are sure to find another one that the rifle likes, where the pressure is similar to the far jump.

 

[vman]

Re: Manufactured Ammo versus Reloading COAL - Big Jump

Perhaps the ballistics of the projectile used in the Federal GM ammo is more forgiving than other more aggresive ogives that require a precise fit.

Im sure there are more accurate projectiles out there BUT they more than likely might require a custom fit to get it shooting to what the manufacturer claims.

Am i just talking cod-shit?